ði ɪˈlɛvənθ ˈaʊər
Time
neutral
intermediate
- Literally:
- the eleventh hour of a twelve-hour period
What does "the eleventh hour" mean?
the last possible moment before a deadline
Examples
- The deal was struck at the eleventh hour, just before the contract expired.
- An eleventh-hour goal saved the team from defeat.
- They reached an eleventh-hour agreement to prevent the government shutdown.
Origin
From the Bible, Matthew 20:1-16, the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard.
How to use it
Often used as an adjective ('eleventh-hour decision'). Common in news and politics.
Similar expressions
last minute
last moment
just in time
Opposites
well in advance
ahead of schedule
Related idioms
- in the long run
Over a long period of time
- better late than never
It's better to do something late than not to do it at all
- from time to time
occasionally, not regularly
- in the nick of time
Just in time; at the last possible moment
- run out of time
to have no more time left to do something
- time flies when you're having fun
Enjoyable moments seem to pass quickly
Use it in a practice answer
Try "the eleventh hour" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.